You are here

Panel Sessions

Mentoring Matters

The initiation of mentoring programs for all faculty is supported not just anecdotally, but also by data-driven recommendations that appeared in publications such as 2010's "Gender Differences in Critical Transitions in the Careers of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Faculty" and 2006's "Report of the Banff International Research Station's Workshop on Women in Mathematics." This panel offers several perspectives on mentoring, from individual experiences to programs supported by organizations such as the Association for Women in Mathematics and National Science Foundation. Additionally, the panel addresses the process of finding the right mentor and having multiple mentors; and best practices for institutions interested in developing and training mentors.

Organizers:Magnhild Lien, California State University NorthridgeMaura Mast, University of Massachusetts BostonJacqueline Jensen, Slippery Rock University

How to Apply for Non-Academic Jobs

Many Mathematics graduates seek academic jobs, but there are a vast number of opportunities for mathematicians outside of academia. Panelists in this session will discuss the non-academic job search process from where to find job postings to interviewing. Panelists with experience in a variety of non-academic positions in business, industry and government will speak about their own experiences and what they look for in potential new hires and future colleagues.

Lessons from Successful Calculus Programs

In 2012, the MAA's National Calculus Study, Characteristics of Successful Programs in College Calculus, visited seventeen colleges and universities that had been identified as exhibiting some measure of success in Calculus I. This panel will present some of the findings of what makes for a successful program, reported by category of institution: research universities, regional universities, undergraduate colleges, and two-year colleges.

Organizer:David Bressoud, Macalester College

Panelists:Eric Hsu, San Francisco State UniversityNina White, University of MichiganJess Ellis, San Diego State UniversityKate Melhuish, Portland State University

Open Source Resources for Mathematics: Benefits and Costs

This panel will include innovators in the development and use of open source resources for mathematics. A variety of options will be represented ranging from computer software to online homework and Open Textbooks. Significant time will be reserved for questions from the audience and between the panelists.

Each of the panelists will focus on the use of open source systems and how each can successfully enable end users to do and teach mathematics. Costs--both tangible and intangible--will be considered and compared to those normally associated with commercial products. Each panelist will address the advantages and disadvantages of these systems when compared to commercial products--and include any research on the efficacy of using their system for teaching purposes. Philosophical reasons for supporting open source products will be addressed. Additionally, avenues regarding how the audience can get involved in contributing to product development will be provided.

Non-Academic Career Paths for Students who Like Mathematics

With events like recent super typhoon Haiyan and super storm Sandy occurring more frequently, many companies have come to realize that there is a greater need to hire those who can measure risk. The need to employ those with quantitative skills will continue to be in high demand. What kinds of jobs are available to those with these analytic and quantitative skill sets? Come to this panel to find out! You'll see that there are jobs in risk management, but also jobs in the tech field as well, Moreover, there are places for mathematicians in non-profits and the government sector too! During this panel we will hear from mathematicians from these various fields. Each panelist will be given the opportunity to describe their non-academic career and how their mathematical coursework prepared them best. Then we will open the floor to questions.

Organizers:
Lisa Marano, West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Karen Marrongelle, Oregon University System
Ben Galluzzo, Shippensburg University

Panelists:
Representatives of NBA Trailblazers, Nike, and Galois

Problems Well-Suited for Math Circles

Choosing a problem which is suitable for a math circle session is arguably the most important task for a circle leader. Good problems are crucial not only for a single session – the success or a failure of a math circle depends on problems presented to participants. But what makes a problem good? Which problems and topics are suitable and why? At the session, a sequence of experienced math circle leaders will present their ideas and share handouts that describe how to run a math circle on a particular topic. A general discussion will follow these presentations.

Organizers:Tatiana Shubin, San Jose State UniversityPhil Yasskin, Texas A&M University

Panelists:Brian Conrey, American Institute of MathematicsElgin Johnston, Iowa State UniversityAmanda Serenevy, Riverbend Community Math CenterJames Tanton, Mathematical Association of AmericaPaul Zeitz, University of San Francisco

Sponsor:
SIGMAA on Math Circles for Students and Teachers (SIGMAA MCST)

The New Mathways STEM Prep Initiative: Results from the Design Team

The Charles A Dana Center’s New Mathways Project has begun the work of designing a STEM Prep Pathway serving students from developmental math to calculus. For the past eight months two teams of leading researchers and educators have been gleaning promising practices from the field and synthesizing them in order to determine the Content and Structure of this re-conceptualized pathway to calculus. This panel of representatives from both teams will lead an interactive discussion on challenges of preparing students for calculus, a presentation of their findings, and an overview of the course design. The panel is interested to respond to questions and receive feedback from the audience with respect to their findings and the subsequent proposed design.

Chairing the Academic Department: Advice and Perspectives from the Pros

Department chairs are called upon to deal with courses, schedules, curricula, research, grants, prospective and current students and facultly, alumni and employers, to name a few. The specific duties and range of activities can vary between different types and sizes of institutions, as well as departments with different organizational structures and missions. Nevertheless, successfully chairing a mathematics department uniformly requires the cultivation of new skills, knowledge, and perspectives, along with the collaboration of faculty, staff, students and the administration. For those who have been a chair for a while, are about to embark on their first term as chair, or are thinking about it for the future, this panel session will feature some great advice and reflections on chairing the mathematics department from faculty who have been there.

This panel session will discuss the use of mathematical software as a teaching tool in math courses and techniques for successful adoption. In this panel, we will specifically focus on using mathematical software in calculus and calculus-related lower-division courses. With the growing integration of technology into peoples’ working lives, teaching students to use technology to do mathematics can be instrumental in allowing mathematics to become a tool students can apply throughout their lives. It also provides an additional avenue for students to enhance their understanding of the concepts underlying the calculations, by providing visualizations, or by allowing them to work with large, real-world data sets. The speakers will be content creators and teaching practitioners who will address not only the capabilities of the technology, but also proven best practices for using this technology in post-secondary education. This panel has been organized by the MAA Committee on Technology in Mathematics Education.

Writing for MAA Journals and Magazines

Would you like to write an article for an MAA journal or magazine? In this informal presentation, mainly for prospective authors, the editors of MAA periodicals discuss the types of articles wanted, the mechanics of preparation, and the qualities of writing that they wish to encourage. The editors of the online publication Loci will join the editors of Math Horizons, MAA Focus, College Mathematics Journal, Mathematics Magazine, and American Mathematical Monthly in this interactive conversation.Organizers:Ivars Peterson, Mathematical Association of AmericaScott Chapman, Sam Houston State University

Innovative Curricula for Developmental Mathematics

Last November there was a National Math Summit, which concentrated on new innovations in developmental math courses. These courses aim to help students understand mathematics and progress to a credit level math course as fast as possible. Most of these courses are being piloted in two-year colleges, and, with the increasing number of students transferring from two-year to four-year colleges, the goal of this panel is to acquaint the audience with some of the new initiatives.

Organizer:Joanne Peeples, El Paso Community College

Moderator:Wade Ellis, Texas Instruments

Panelists:Amy Getz, University of Texas at AustinKaron Klipple, Carnegie FoundationLinda Zientek, Sam Houston State UniversityPaul Nolting, State College of Florida

Sponsors:
Committee on Two Year Colleges (CUTM)
Subcommittee on Calculus Reform and the First Two Years (CRAFTY)

This panel is intended to provide both current information and a forum for discussion about open access models of scholarly publishing in mathematics and mathematics education. Panelists will address how such publishing venues can effectively serve authors and readers, then the session will provide an opportunity for discussion between speakers and session attendees.